White wine vinegar and boilers

[Robert_374373903]

Have just put 2 litres of w w vinegar in boiler and wondered how long i should keep it boiling for, looking at manuels there does not mention how long, what do you all think?. Bye the way the rest is water topping it up to 10 litres.

 

[RogerL]

I used a 50:50 mixture (5litres vinegar + 5 litres water) and kept it at full heat (70 degrees) for an hour.

 

[James_374408700]

I used a 50:50 mixture (5litres vinegar + 5 litres water) and kept it at full heat (70 degrees) for an hour.

Hi Roger, Out of interest what came out when you flushed it through?

 

[Guest]

I assume the purpose of adding the vinegar was to remove 'furring' or carbonate deposits from using hard water. Calcium carbonate is soluble in acid and as vinegar is basically diluted acetic acid it will do the trick. Personally, I would not leave it for too long as it will certainly add an odour to the water for while and may even damage any steel parts. All you are really trying to achieve is to remove the scale from the element as it reduces the efficiency and you may even find the element 'singing'. After use of course flush copiously with fresh water.